Module manager: Professor Holger Afflerbach
Email: H.Afflerbach@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
George F. Kennan called World War I the 'seminal catastrophe' of the 20th century. And actual historiography agrees that he was right: World War I was indeed the starting point for most evils of the 20th century: National Socialism, Fascism, Communism, and, naturally, World War II., wouldn't have been possible without the 'Great War'. But how was this catastrophe linked with the developments of the 19th century? You will explore whether the Great War was the logical outcome of a highly militarised, imperialistic and nationalistic epoch, and if the Sarajevo Crime was only the proverbial spark in the powder barrel of European politics. You will analyse and understand the mechanisms of European Great Power politics between 1871 and 1914. You will examine some general tendencies and political problems of the times. You will analyse how the politicians of the time attempted to control events. You will also explore the question of war and peace, examining how the peacekeeping mechanisms of the European Concert of Powers functioned. You will analyse the major events of international policy from 1871 to 1914, starting with the foundations of the German and Italian National States and ending with the July crisis of 1914 and the outbreak of the First World War. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The objective of the module is to explore the driving forces and central problems of Great Power Politics from Bismarck to the outbreak of the First World War. It will evaluate the importance of imperialistic and colonialist tendencies in European politics before 1914 and analyse the attitude towards war and peace in European politics before 1914. The module aims to provide an overview of the major historiographical debates on these topics.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Critically assess and interpret the foundations and structural elements of Great Power politics before 1914.
2. Apply relevant written, visual, and electronic resources regarding the history of Great Power Politics in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries;
3. Discuss the driving forces in the international system, the role of power, and relevant factors of public opinion and internal politics.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
4. Effectively communicate complex historical idea to academic and public audiences;
5. Construct well-supported historical arguments.
6. Analyse and critique relevant historiographical arguments.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 178.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive feedback on formative assignments: an in-class presentation, which will assist towards producing the essay and the OTLA.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 20/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team